The West Bengal government has officially launched the Annapurna Yojana, a women’s financial assistance scheme replacing the earlier Lakshmir Bhandar programme. Starting June 1, 2026, eligible women will receive ₹3,000 per month directly into their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts — nearly double what most beneficiaries received before.
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Annapurna Yojana Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Annapurna Yojana (Annapurna Bhandar) |
| Monthly Benefit | ₹3,000 via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) |
| Launch Date | June 1, 2026 |
| Eligible Age Group | 25 to 60 years |
| Nodal Department | Women & Child Development and Social Welfare |
| Payment Mode | Aadhaar-linked bank account (DBT) |
| Previous Scheme | Lakshmir Bhandar (auto-migration for existing users) |
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for the Annapurna Yojana, a woman must:
- Be a permanent resident of West Bengal
- Be aged between 25 and 60 years
- Not be an income tax payer
- Not hold permanent government employment or receive a regular government salary or pension from the state, central government, panchayats, municipalities, or government-aided educational institutions
Existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries will be automatically migrated — no fresh application needed, subject to government verification.
How to Apply (New Applicants)?
An online portal for the Annapurna Yojana was launched for new applicants, with applications also accepted offline through Duare Sarkar camps, BDO offices, SDO offices, municipality offices, and other authorised government centres.
Women should apply only through official government portals and avoid unofficial links or agents demanding money — the registration is completely free.
This scheme is a significant step in India’s broader push for direct benefit transfer programmes that cut out middlemen and deliver welfare funds directly to beneficiaries.
For more on government welfare schemes and how they impact everyday Indians, check out our coverage at TechnoSports India. You can also read about similar state initiatives in our government schemes section on TechnoSports.
Why This Matters?
The Annapurna Yojana is more than just a financial boost — it’s a meaningful policy shift. The scheme aims to strengthen financial security for women belonging to economically weaker households and help them manage daily family expenses more independently. For millions of women across rural and semi-urban Bengal, ₹3,000 a month is a reliable income source that can cover healthcare, education, and household essentials.
FAQs
Q: Do existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries need to apply again for Annapurna Yojana?
No — all existing beneficiaries of the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme will be automatically migrated to Annapurna Bhandar Scheme, provided they clear the government’s verification process.
Q: When will the ₹3,000 start arriving in bank accounts?
Financial assistance will be transferred directly to the Aadhaar-linked bank accounts of eligible beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), with the scheme effective from June 1, 2026.
